My Keywords were stolen! Seriously!

[ddlingo]

I have researched and found some very lucrative KWs over the past month, I always use Godaddy to check availability since they will refer you to the .org and the .net if they are available. These keywords are words that have sat there since the beginning of time, but after I find them and research them a bit more to decide how to proceed, they then some how get registered by someone else within a week or so. Is it possible for some one to SPY on your research or your searches? IF so please let me know how to block it..They got at least 6 or 7 of my most lucrative words this same way. I would understand if it was 1 or 2 KWs but this is too many to be a coincidence , all of the sorry words that I find are still available. I keep a detailed spreadsheet of the KWs and their availability and search volume so there is no way that I am mistaken. Please advise.

[LegionNate]

This has happened to me... and my friend was complaining to me that it happened to him last night. I honestly don't think there is a way around it other than not researching domain names until you're ready to buy!

[yukon]

That's why you never use any domain register search, unless your ready to buy the domain as soon as you click the search button.

I've never understood why anyone does that?

If you want to know If a domain ia available to buy (research), use your browser. If you get a no page found for www.keyword.com, chances are that domain is available to buy.

[AnniePot]

I have heard of this happening over and over on GoDaddy. This is a company I wouldn't touch with the proverbial bargepole.

[R Hagel]

Since you didn't actually register any domain names, I wouldn't call it stealing. But yes... if you search for a domain name and then don't purchase it, it's likely that the domain will be gone the next time you check. That's why you should only check availability when you're ready to buy.

However...

It happens even if you're not doing any research at all. People can and do get the same ideas at the same time, all around the world. The winner is the person who actually takes action on that idea first.

For example, a couple years ago I suddenly had a neat idea for a website. This was a Monday. The idea stayed solely in my head for the week. Then on Friday I went to purchase the "perfect" domain name. It was gone... someone had purchased it earlier that week.

Couldn't blame a tool, because the idea never left my head that week. Yet someone got the exact same idea within two days and acted on it.

Money loves speed.

Cheers,
Becky

[IdeaLady]

Never research a domain name until you are ready to buy. When you find the one you want, buy it.

Are there people (or registrars?) "spying" on domain research? Maybe. Probably not. Whether or not there are spies, there are millions of people buying domain names. Many of them are using the same tools and responding to the same inspiration as you.

See it. Buy it.

[AFI]

The registrar has 5 days after you've completed a search to register the domain names themselves if you have not bought them. Unfortunately it's actually legal.

[Apollo-Articles]

I have also heard of this happening, as others have said try not to research until your ready to purchase!

Sam

Apollo Articles

[Kay King]

It's done usually by third party software - and it's temporary for a few days - and it's easy to avoid.

If you find the domain and don't buy it - you have no claim to it. If you wait 7-10 days - it may be available again and if you look it up and still don't buy...same thing will happen.

Use a site such as nameboy.com to look up keyword combinations without revealing your potential domain names and you won't have a problem. When you find the domain you want go to the registrar and get it immediately.

kay

[Michael Oksa]

It may not be a perfecdt analogy, but let's say you were interested in starting your McDonald's franchise. One of the things you would do is find the ideal location. You spend your time and effort finding the right location, but then decide that you really don't want to start the fast food establishement quite yet - so you don't put a down payment on the property.

In the meantime, somebody else learns that you are looking at that peice of property, so they buy it. They didn't STEAL anything, they just bought it first. In other words, they can't steal something from you that isn't yours.

Now that they have the property, they could either open their own McDonald's, OR they could sell it to you at a higher price, thereby turning a profit.

Is what they did wrong?

All the best,
Michael

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by ddlingo

they then some how get registered by someone else within a week or so. Is it possible for some one to SPY on your research or your searches? IF so please let me know how to block it.

I think it's called "domain sampling"(?).

Best to be ready to buy when you search, really, though I must say it hasn't happened to me since I stopped using GoDaddy (who certainly have a reputation for it).

[ddlingo]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

It may not be a perfecdt analogy, but let's say you were interested in starting your McDonald's franchise. One of the things you would do is find the ideal location. You spend your time and effort finding the right location, but then decide that you really don't want to start the fast food establishement quite yet - so you don't put a down payment on the property.

In the meantime, somebody else learns that you are looking at that peice of property, so they buy it. They didn't STEAL anything, they just bought it first. In other words, they can't steal something from you that isn't yours.

Now that they have the property, they could either open their own McDonald's, OR they could sell it to you at a higher price, thereby turning a profit.

Is what they did wrong?

All the best,
Michael

Originally Posted by R Hagel

Since you didn't actually register any domain names, I wouldn't call it stealing. But yes... if you search for a domain name and then don't purchase it, it's likely that the domain will be gone the next time you check. That's why you should only check availability when you're ready to buy.

However...

It happens even if you're not doing any research at all. People can and do get the same ideas at the same time, all around the world. The winner is the person who actually takes action on that idea first.

For example, a couple years ago I suddenly had a neat idea for a website. This was a Monday. The idea stayed solely in my head for the week. Then on Friday I went to purchase the "perfect" domain name. It was gone... someone had purchased it earlier that week.

Couldn't blame a tool, because the idea never left my head that week. Yet someone got the exact same idea within two days and acted on it.

Money loves speed.

Cheers,
Becky

Are you guys serious? Really? You can't be serious....I know you guys don't actually think I was trying to press charges or something. The word 'stealing' is used as a term sometimes to express or convey a point or feeling. I realize that no one stole anything from me, I was making a point and trying to find out if this was a common occurrence and trying to find out how I can prevent this from happening in the future. Can a man 'steal' someone else's wife or girlfriend ? Of course not he or she left on their own free will, but its still a term we use everyday due. Come on now, you thinking too deep.

[Martin2010]

It's GoDaddy that's the problem so i go to LCN and then when i see if mines available then i go to GoDaddy and buy straight away.

It's never ever failed me.

[ddlingo]

I usually like to sit down and do mass KW research 1 or 2 days a week and build up a huge list of KWs that meet my specific criteria. Some of those words I keep some of them I don't, just depends on if I think i can find a product or not, or if I think I will be able to monetize the KW or not. I will definitely have to alter my methods in the future. And for those that think its a coincedence, I beg to differ. There are just too many KWs that were taken and only the highly searched and potentially profitable words were taken. Words that had small or just decent traffic like 100 searches per day are all still there. But the bomb words with like 1,200 searches per day, or even the ones down to like 500 searches per day are all gone...A lot of people would love to take KWs with 100 searches per day, yet they are still available, but the cash cows are now gone..Sorry, I just don't buy it being a coincidence, then there are too many people here posting that have had similar experiences. Oh, I forgot this...5 of those KWs are now up for auction! COME ON!

[ddlingo]

Originally Posted by Martin2010

It's GoDaddy that's the problem so i go to LCN and then when i see if mines available then i go to GoDaddy and buy straight away.

It's never ever failed me.

Whats LCN?

[Martin2010]

Domain Names - Domains - UK Domain Name Specialists - LCN.com

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by ddlingo

Are you guys serious? Really? You can't be serious....I know you guys don't actually think I was trying to press charges or something. The word 'stealing' is used as a term sometimes to express or convey a point or feeling. I realize that no one stole anything from me, I was making a point and trying to find out if this was a common occurrence and trying to find out how I can prevent this from happening in the future. Can a man 'steal' someone else's wife or girlfriend ? Of course not he or she left on their own free will, but its still a term we use everyday due. Come on now, you thinking too deep.

Easy there!



I was just trying to use a different situation to add perspective. I was also trying not to make any judgments about what happened.

For the record, I think the practice stinks.

As far as "thinking too deep" goes, well this is a forum and you're going to get all kinds of "depth" in responses - some responses will agree, some disagree, and some will simply try to come at it from a different angle.

All the best,
Michael

[FredJones]

I have heard this with Godaddy earlier too, but I have never personally experienced it. Having said that I have not experienced it does not mean that I am saying it does not or can not happen.

If you saw this happen a number of times, did you check who ppurchased the domain name in each of the cases? If so then was it purchased by the same party? If the name is privately registered then do you see the registrant to be common?

[paulgl]

I always check domains using yahoo's service.
Never had them take a domain. It's fast, easy, and
many combos are given.

If you don't buy it, you have only yourself to blame.

Paul

[ScottieScott]

I posted something about this happening at GoDaddy about a year ago. I wouldn't say it is the same as trying to buy a property and having someone buy it first, then sell it to you at a higher price. This is more like going to the store to buy a microwave at XXX store, looking at them and deciding which one you want, do more shopping, and come back to find that XXX store saw you interested in buying the microwave, so they jacked up the price to 2x or more. You will find the domains you are looking at many times on the auction block. May not be illegal, but certainly not ethical, and for sure 100% it will keep me from ever doing any new business with GoDaddy.

[Kay King]

I was making a point and trying to find out if this was a common occurrence and trying to find out how I can prevent this from happening in the future.

You were the one who brought up the word "stolen"

Very easy to prevent - just look for domains at a registrar site only when you are ready to register the domain...and then register it before you leave the site.

Again....nameboy.com will allow you search your keywords for available domains without any problem occurring.

kay

[Net Assasin]

Yep, it has happened to me as well. Beware GoDaddy

[jadednews]

You can just type the site name in next time.